Electric scoring machine



May 16, 1967 A. M. RosENFlELD ELECTRIC SCORING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb.

May 16, 1957 A* M. ROsENFlELD 3,319,359

ELECTRIC SCORING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2, 1966 2 sheets-Sheet 2 loe/ :766% i NET/7L FMATE INVENTOR BY @bu/94 Armas/E s United States Patent O 3,319,359 ELECTRIC SCORING MACHINE Arthur M. Rosenield, 833 Cliffside Ave., North Woodmere, N.Y. 11581 Filed Feb. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 524,388 1 Claim. (Cl. 35-4S) This invention concerns an electrified scoring device for examination papers, statistical charts and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a scoring device which registers instantly by lighting of lamps, answers represented by holes punched in a sheet, card or chart.

A further object is to provide a scoring device of simplied construction, which is readily portable, simple to use, accurate, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a scoring device having -an insulated oating panel which is spring mounted over an electrically conductive plate, the panel having electrical contact members respectively supported at apertures in the panel, and a plurality of lamps connected in circuit with patch cords which can be selectively connected to the contact members at the apertures in the panel, so that the lamps light when the panel is pressed down until the contact members touch the conductive plate.

Still another object is to provide a scoring device as last described, wherein a nonconductive test sheet or card has holes punched therein in selected positions, the sheet being inserted into the device between the conductive plate and panel, so that only those lamps light whose patch cords are connected at panel apertures registering with holes in the sheet.

For further comprehension of the invention `and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following drawings and to the appended claims in which the Various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention, shown with a test sheet being inserted therein,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2f-2 of FIG. l, with the test sheet shown inserted into the device,

FIG. 3 is `an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, with top panel shown in elevated position,

FIG. 4 is -a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3, with top panel shown in depressed position,

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electric circuitry of the device,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of a .patch cord, shown with a fragmentary sectional view of the insulated panel.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, the device comprises a rectangular horizontal frame 10 made of electrically nonconductive material such as plastic wood. The frame has straight side bars 11, 14, a rear cross bar 16 and a front cross bar 18. Mounting feet 20 are affixed to corners of the frame `at its underside. The rear bar 16 has an upwardly extending rail 22 to which is aflixed an angle bar 23. Bar 23 has a horizontal flange 24 formed with horizontally spaced openings 25. Threaded lamp sockets 26 are screwed in openings and are held by locknuts 26. Lamps 27 are screwed in the respective sockets. A channel shaped cover 30 is removably mounted over the lamps and rail. This cover has openings 31 in its top wall in which are fitted lenses 32 through which the lamps 27 may be viewed.

An electrically conductive rectangular metal plate 35 is securely mounted across the -frame and is supported 3,319,359 Patented May 16, 1967 by the frame bars. A switch 36 is mounted at side bar 11. A power supply lcord 38 extends through one end of cover 30. This cord has one wire 39 connected to bar 23 which serves 4as a busbar. The other wire 40 of the cord 38 is conne-cted to switch 36. The central terminal 41 of each lamp bears on a lug 42. The lugs 42 are mounted on an insulated bar or strip 44 secured to the to of plate 35 near its rear edge. Wire 43 is connected between plate 35 and with 36.

Power cord 38 may be connected to a stepdown transformer 45 to which is connected power cord 46 terminating in a plug 48 which can be inserted in a suitable power supply receptacle. Alternatively, cord 38 can be connected to one or more batteries (not shown).

A rigid rectangular panel 50 made of nonconductive material such as plastic, wood, iberboard, or the like, is mounted over the plate 35. Bolts are axially vertical and extend through holes 54 formed in corners of panel 50. Coil springs 55 are mounted on each of the bolts under panel 50. The expanded springs support the panel above plate 35. The heads of the bolts hold the panel on the springs in horizontal position. Panel 50 has a rectangular array of apertures 60 arranged in longitudinal columns labeled with markings 61 reading respectively A, B, C and D, and markings 63 in cross rows designated 1 through 12 respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6, a metal eyelet 62 is fitted in each aperture 60, and a short axially vertical electrical contact spring 64 is secured to each eyelet at the underside of panel 50. Normally the lower end of each spring 64 is spaced from plate 35 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Connected to each of lugs 42 is one end of an insulated patch cord 65 which passes through a notch 67 in the front wall of cover 30. The other end of the cord terminates in la spring pin or prong 66 which can t snugly into any one of the eyelets 62 to make good electrical contact therewith.

A rectangular electrically nonconductive test sheet or card 0 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is used with the device. This card has scored rings 72 arranged in longitudinal columns and horizontal rows so that the rings register with apertures 60 in the panel 50. Any one or more of disks 73 denedrby the rings can be pushed or punched out manually to leave a hole 74. Generally each ring represents a possible answer to a test question. The holes 74 formed by pushing out selected disks 73 defined by the rings, represent answers selected by a person using the sheet to record his answers to the test questions. In general, one hole 74 will be made in each transverse row of rings 72. Thus there will be as many holes 4as there are rows of rings, with each hole being located in any one of four possible columns. The test sheet has A to D column markings 61 and 1 to 12 row markings 63 corresponding to markings 61, 63 on panel 50 and sheet 70. Panel 50 has a notch 51 at its front end to facilitate insertion of sheet 70 under the panel.

FIG. 6 shows the electric circuit 100 of the device. Each of lamps 27 has one terminal connected to busbar 23 which is connected to secondary winding 102 of transformer 45 via wire 39. Wire 40 is connected between the secondary winding 102 and switch 36 which in turn is connected in series with the metal plate 70 via wire 43. The other terminal of each lamp is connected to a patch cord 65 which terminates in a prong 66. Transformer 4S has primary winding 104 connected to power cord 46 which terminates in plug 48. This plug can be connected to outlet 106 of any suit-able power supply 108. Circuit is arranged for alternating current operation. If desired wires 39 and 40 can be conne-cted to a battery or plurality of batteries -for direct current operation.

Operation of the device including circuit 100 is performed by closing switch 36, with plug 48 connected to power supply 108. This will produce a voltage between plate 70 and all of prongs 66. The prongs should first be inserted into eyelets 62 of selected apertures 60 in panel 50. The selected apertures will respectively represent correct or desired answers to a test of which sheet 70 constitutes the answer sheet or card. The person taking the test will punch out disks 73 to leave holes 74 corresponding to answers given in response to a series of examination questions. One hole is made in each transverse answer row 63. Then the sheet or card 70 is inserted into the device under panel 50 as shown in FIG. 1. The sheet will overlay plate 35 as shown in FIG. 1. The sheet will overlay plate 35 as shown in FIGS. 2-4. Holes 74 will underlay the springs 64 at certain apertures 60. Then the operator of the device will press down manually on the panel 50 as shown in FIG. 4 until the springs 64 contact the sheet 70 or contact the plate 35 through holes 74. Each lamp 27 will light up where the prong o-f its associated patch cord is connected to an eyelet whose spring extends through a hole 74 in sheet 70. If any lamp fails to light, it signifies that there is no hole under the spring of the eyelet where the patch cord is connected. In other words the wrong hole has been punched in the row scored by the lamp which failed to light. This indicates an incorrect answer.

lIt is possible to use the device for scoring an answer sheet used in an examination of the multiple choice type where two or more holes 74 may be punched out for any transverse row of 63. Two or more patch cords 65 can be connected to two or more eyelets 62 respectively of each row on the panel 50 for which two or more holes are to be punched in a transverse row on the answer sheet. Each patch cord and interconnected lamp operates independently of every other patch cord and lamp. Thus the lighting or non-lighting of any lamp will not affect the lighting of any other lamp. By this arrangement, if just one lamp lights in a row out of two or three lamps assigned to that row, then a partially correct answer has been scored, because this means only one correctly located hole has been punched out of the two or three required to be punched correctly.

It will be Aapparent that the device provides an instant score display of correct and incorrect answers. More or less than the twelve rows of holes 60, patch cords 65 and lamps 27 may be provided for scoring shorter or longer tests. The device can also be used for collecting statistical data by scoring answers to questionaires, and for allied purposes.

The device can be made up in various sizes. It is readily portable. It is easy and safe to use and can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. i i

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modiiications may be made within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A scoring device, comprising a generally rectangular frame, a plurality of lamps carried by said frame, power supply means having two terminals, a at electrically conductive plate disposed on said frame and connected in series circuit with one of said terminals, a plurality of patch cords, said cords being connected to the respective lamps in a plurality of series circuits connected to the other terminal of said power supply, a panel disposed over said conductive plate parallel thereto, rst, spring means normally spacing said panel from said conductive plate, said panel having a plurality of apertures with eyelets therein for selectively receiving free ends of the patch cords, electrically conductive spring contact members secured to said eyelets respectively, said spring contact members extending outwardly of the panel toward said conductive plate normally spaced therefrom whereby each lamp will light whose associated patch cord has its free end engaged in an aperture in direct electric circuit with the spring contact member thereat when the panel is moved toward the conductive means to compress said first spring means and to press the spring contact members into contact with the conductive plate, said panel being made of electrical insulation material, said panel having corner openings, bolts seated in corners of the frame and extending through said corner openings so that `the panel is manually movable toward said conductive plate when the panel is released while remaining parallel to said plate, said first spring means comprising coil springs mounted on the bolts between the frame and panel for normally holding the panel and spring contact members spaced away from the conductive plate, so that a paper sheet having selectively located apertures therein can be freely inserted on to said plate under the panel and spring contact members and can be freely removed therefrom when the. panel is elevated automatically solely by said coil springs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,997,178 4/1935 Johnson 35-48 2,113,620 4/1938 Johnson 35-48 2,275,590 3/1942 Johnson 35-48 3,137,949 6/1964 Smith 35-48 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner, S. M. BENDER, Assistant Examiner, 

